Swiss peculiarities and local business models in Switzerland

Local business models that only work here

Reading Time:    5 Min.
Schweizer Fahne
Publication:        January 20, 2026, Jessy Thür

Local culinary culture: Confiserie Sprüngli & Villars Chocolatier

Confiserie Sprüngli in Zermatt is a prime example of a Swiss specialty that is closely intertwined with the local market. The traditional Zurich-based confectionery is known for traditional Swiss sweets such as Luxemburgerli and has been an integral part of Swiss food culture for decades, with numerous branches across the country and a strong local following. The brand's history encompasses not only economic success, but also local customs and social rituals, such as the Sprüngli coffee house as a meeting place in Zurich.

Villars Maître Chocolatier, a chocolate manufacturer based in Fribourg, also has strong local ties. Since 1901, the company has been producing chocolate with a high proportion of regional raw materials and attracts many visitors from Switzerland and abroad who are looking for the typical Swiss taste experience.

Why only here in Switzerland: Swiss chocolate culture has international appeal, but first-class products such as those from Sprüngli or Villars are closely linked to local raw materials, tradition, and the Swiss “chocolatier identity” often difficult to export in their entirety.

Regional experience and agriculture: Jucker Farm

Another example is Jucker Farm. The company combines agriculture, direct marketing, and agrotourism in a way that is strongly influenced by Swiss rural traditions: visitors experience the farm, buy locally produced products, and take part in seasonal events. Jucker Farm is particularly well known for Switzerland's largest pumpkin festival and plays an important role in the regional agriculture and tourism landscape.

Swiss peculiarity: Agritourism and farm shops have a long tradition in Switzerland – here, a combination of production, experience, and direct sales works particularly well, as consumers greatly value regionality and origin.

Socially innovative gastronomy: blindekuh

Another Swiss-specific business is blindekuh, a restaurant concept where guests are served in the dark and the employees themselves are blind or visually impaired. This social business model combines inclusion, gastronomy, and experience and was originally developed in Switzerland.

Why it works here: Switzerland is often a pioneer in social innovation and precision concepts – blindekuh combines a social mission with an experience that makes guests aware of how different perception can be. Although the concept has now been adapted internationally, its strong local roots remain intact.

Fair, sustainable niches: claro fair trade

While fair trade products are not uncommon internationally, claro fair trade has a specifically Swiss history and structure: the company was founded in 1977 out of a solidarity movement and has become an established player in the Swiss retail market for sustainable food, handicrafts, and lifestyle products.

Locally embedded: Claro has strong links to Swiss consumer movements and sustainability policies – it only works in this form in a market with a strong awareness of fairness and regionality.

Why these companies only work in Switzerland

SME-centered economy
Over 99% of all Swiss companies are SMEs. These small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the economy and often emphasize regionality, quality, and tradition over global efficiency.

Strong regionality
Switzerland's 26 cantons offer regional diversity with distinct cultures, languages, and economic traditions—an ideal breeding ground for local business models.

Consumer confidence
In Switzerland, consumers place particular value on origin, quality, and sustainability, which gives local specialists an advantage over global standard production.

The power of local

Switzerland may be small, but it is a realm of niches: from traditional chocolatiers and experiential farming to socially innovative restaurants and unusual greenhouses – many businesses only work where they are rooted. They show how important it is to integrate local culture, geographical features, and traditional values into a successful business model. This is precisely what makes them typical Swiss success stories – not only nationally, but increasingly also internationally.

All information provided without guarantee.


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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland

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